Chapter 70

Chapter 70 – Returning Together

The reason why I rejected Seki-kun’s request was simple. It was because of the current state of Umi and Amami-san’s relationship.

Those two girls might act chummy in class, but I knew there was a subtle crack in their relationship.

The proof of my claim was their excessive skinship. It was obvious to me that they were trying really hard to fix their relationship by doing that.

Amami-san’s hands were full just trying to repair her friendship. Things might get messy if Seki-kun was added to the picture.

If he asked me for something less obvious, like asking for a study session together to prepare for the upcoming exam, I might be able to help him. Knowing Amami-san, she would happily do the things that I requested as long as it wasn’t too burdensome for her.

If he asked me to create an opportunity for him, I would gladly help him.

Sadly, his request was too excessive for me to do and besides, Amami-san didn’t even see him that way. It wasn’t because he doesn’t look attractive enough or anything, that girl is just too preoccupied with other things to care right now.

I don’t care if he got heartbroken because of this. After all, fixing Umi and Amami-san’s relationship was my priority.

And most importantly, I don’t want to cause any trouble for Umi.

In the off chance that things went well between Seki-kun and Amami-san, he would definitely be involved with Umi in some way or another. After all, Amami-san had absolute trust in Umi. If something were to happen, the person she would consult would be Umi. And knowing Umi, she would do her best to help her best friend, that’s just the way she is.

I knew, because she treated me the same way.

She paid close attention to me. I mean, she even found out about this meeting before I could tell her about it. Whenever she saw me alone in class, she would text me to keep me company and whenever I got into some kind of trouble, she would lend a helping hand. That girl, for better or worse, got a strong sense of responsibility.

Also, she was rather possessive and got jealous easily.

If I were to agree to help him, she would definitely try to find out about it and if I were adamant on keeping this a secret from her, it might affect her mental state.

This was also an important period for both of us, I don’t feel like taking any unnecessary risks.

“Is that all? Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

“No… There isn’t… I see, it’s impossible to get your help after all, huh?”

“Yeah… Sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. I already knew there was a high chance that you’ll refuse, don’t worry about it…”

Huh, I thought that he would be more forceful to get my help, but he gave up quite easily.

My heart was pounding really hard, I felt so nervous about rejecting him. Thankfully my voice wasn’t shaky.

“Maehara… You look like a pushover, but you’re surprisingly stubborn huh? I see you in a different light now…”

“Is that so? …Well, that might be the influence of a certain someone…”

I wasn’t as courageous as Umi, but I hope I can be like her some day.

In a way, she was my goal.

“…It seems like the upperclassmen are about to arrive… I guess we’re done here…”

“Mm… I can’t help you directly, but I can act as moral support.”

“Thank you, but what I need now is direct help from you.”

“Hahaha.”

Even if I agreed to help, I doubt that things would go well for him.

I gave him a light pat on his back as he turned around and ran to the practice ground.

Honestly, as long as he did his best in his club, there would surely be a few girls that would like him, and chances were, one of them would be a better fit for him than Amami-san.

I gave him my prayers and ran to the school gate.

While we were talking, everyone seemed to have gone home already. The school was pretty much deserted and all I could see were dried leaves being blown away by the cold winter wind.

“Brr… It’s cold! I should bring that thing out from the closet when I get back home… Huh?”

I was muttering to myself like usual and was about to run past the school gate when I spotted a familiar figure leaning against it.

“…Umi?”

It was Umi.

“Yo.”

“Yo… So, you’ve been waiting for me?”

“…Couldn’t you tell?”

She was still wearing her uniform with her favorite checkered scarf wrapped around her neck. She also had her school bag slumped on her back. She puffed her cheeks as she waited for my response.

Yeah, I guess this idiot waited for me. Under this cold weather too, jeez.

“Weren’t you supposed to go back with Amami-san? What did you say to her?”

“I just told her that I forgot something and she should go ahead. For some reason she wished me good luck when I said that though, I wonder what that was about?”

“Gee, I wonder…”

Well, we might as well go together.

“Sorry, Maki. I was actually going to go home as soon as possible, but… I got worried about you…”

“Huh, I’m surprised you didn’t hide nearby while peeping on me.”

“Muu… If I do that then I’ll be breaking my promise with you to not do anything, no?”

She pouted her lips as she looked away from me.

I saw her cheeks flushed a little.

“Honestly, I really want to know what you and Seki-kun were talking about… But, I know that isn’t the right thing to do… So I decided to wait for you instead…”

It seemed like she hesitated on whether to go home quickly or wait for me because she was worried.

In the end, she decided to wait, that was why she stood on by the school gate like this.

Why was she like this?

Well, this part of her is cute too.

“I see.”

“…Mm…”

“Well, it’s cold, so let’s go home.”

“…Mm. …Ah, Maki…”

“What is it?”

“It’s really cold, you know? So… Can I… Warm myself up at your place?”

“…Yeah, sure…”

Today wasn’t Friday, but who cares.

Umi was my friend after all. It was normal for friends to hang out on weekdays too, right? Also, this shouldn’t be something that I needed to report to my mom.

TL: Iyo

ED: MaltedBarley